Local veterans will be honored with an evening of music and memories as Oxford’s choirs present their 4th Annual Americana Concert 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9 at the high school’s Performing Arts Center.
‘We are very honored to be able to do this for our veterans,? said Jan Flynn, middle school choir director. ‘This is going to be a night all about them.?
This hour-long Veterans Day tribute will feature choir students from the middle school and high school performing a variety of heartfelt patriotic songs. Admission is free.
‘We’re so excited to do this,? Flynn said. ‘The kids are all fired up and raring to go.?
As always, middle school singers will be performing ‘American Heroes,? a salute to all of our nation’s Armed Forces. As each service hymn is played, veterans of that branch will be asked to stand so their courage, devotion to duty and love of country may be recognized by the crowd.
Veterans and those currently serving in the military are invited to wear their uniforms.
Members of the high school’s three choirs ? Varsity, Choralaires and Chorale ? will be performing a piece called ‘Song for the Unsung Hero? by Joseph Martin.
Honors choir students from both the middle school and high school will join together to sing Lee Greenwood’s ‘God Bless the U.S.A.?
Choir Director Christopher Card will be giving a solo performance of ‘Letters from War? by singer/songwriter Mark Schultz.
Students from the Oxford Academy of Dance & Performing Arts will be doing a dance routine to a song entitled ‘The Great Defenders? by Lee Greenwood.
This year’s featured guest speaker will be Ray Laenen, a World War II Army veteran who now lives in St. Clair Shores.
‘He was absolutely thrilled to do this,? Flynn said. ‘He’s got quite a story to tell.?
Laenen was serving aboard the S.S. Peter Silvester, a U.S. Liberty ship (cargo ship) bound for Burma with 317 mules, when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat on February 6, 1945 while sailing in the Indian Ocean.
He survived 22 days in a crowded lifeboat only to return to service more determined than ever to defend America’s freedom.
Fifty years later, Laenen traveled to Germany to meet and forgive the captain and crew of the U-boat that sank his ship.
Laenen’s compelling life story is chronicled in the book ‘Liberty Ship Survivor: Why Ray Laenen is so Proud to be an American,? written by Joseph N. Mazzara.
Following his 15-minute speech at the Americana Concert, Laenen will give the audience a special treat and perform ‘God Bless America.?
‘He’ll sing through it first and then we’ll invite the audience to join with us,? Flynn said.
Members of American Legion Post 108 will serve as Color Guard during the concert, presenting and retiring the flags. Boy Scout Troop 366 will be on hand to perform such duties as ushering. Flynn has also invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend the concert.
The PGR is a diverse group of motorcycle riders from across the nation who attend the funeral services of fallen soldiers to show respect and shield families from protesters.